There must be something about the Wisconsin-AIC connection. Both second rows at AIC are big, powerful players from

Like his slightly older partner Corey Momsen, Connor Gleason is a product of the high school leagues in the Badger State. Known as a bit of a goofball off the field, he is deadly serious on it, using his 6-6, 265-pound frame to shove back opposing forwards.

In fact, he was so big in high school that he didn't even jump in the lineout, as it was tough work for his lifters to send him up there. But once he started playing with the High School All Americans he learned to jump, and really got involved in the lineouts with AIC. Gleason could have made the USA U20 team but broke his foot and that ended that plan, but at AIC he has been a starter since he showed up. His strength as a ballcarrier and a scrummager has helped propel the Yellowjackets to the ECRC title.

"In the lineouts I weighed a bit more in high school but I've slimmed down a bit," said Gleason. "I've been working on jumping competitively and getting up there quick and fast. I knew the basics of how to do it, but working with guys like Corey and Gavan D'Amore-Morrison has improved my lineout work."

Gleason played for the Valley Crusaders in Wisconsin, a club that fielded players from three separate schools in Neenah, Wisc., a small steel and paper town on Lake Winnebago. His play there saw him make the Wisconsin select side, a team that AIC teammates Momsen and Blake Gurgul also suited up for.

"When I started looking at colleges Blake told me AIC needed a second row, and I liked the idea; it's been great here," he said. But he also has had to work on things. "For me lineouts are still a big thing and making sure that I am doing what I have to do to put the team in the best position to win. At second row you do a lot of work and so when you get the ball, that's sort of a special moment. But I would rush it and early in the season I'd knock the ball on. I just told myself I don't want to do that anymore, and it's a lot better."

Gleason is a communications major who hopes to go into public relations, but he has done some journalism, too, covering the AIC 7s team for the school newspaper while he was injured in the spring.

"That was my beat and it was a lot of fun; I learned to observe the game not as a fan or a teammate, but as a writer analyzing the game. I learned a lot that way."

Now back on the field the well-liked, big goofball is a major reason why AIC is more than just a fast team with good backs. When AIC faces off with Kutztown this weekend, the Bears will find that they will have to deal with more than just the shiftiness and speed out wide, but a big, tough forward pack with the likes of Connor Gleason in the middle.

Connor Gleason of American International College is our Aircraft Charter Solutions Player of the Week.